Visits to the North America Geography Notebook

We’re excited to announce that Visits to North America, the latest in our Visits to . . . geography notebooks, is now available! Each notebook combines step-by-step map work with delightful living book suggestions for older and younger students, plus guided reading from a traveler’s firsthand account of visits around the world. The notebook for North America includes a focus on the provinces and territories of Canada and the states of the USA.

One of the things that makes these notebooks so friendly is the sweet picture book titles that are included for the younger students. It’s such a joy to discover and recommend precious gems that will help various regions of the world come alive in your young students’ minds!

Here are just a few of our favorite picture books recommended in Visits to North America.

Appalachia: The Voices of Sleeping Birds by Cynthia Rylant
Written and illustrated by two people who grew up in the region, this treasure is a beautiful combination of lyrical prose, nostalgic emotions, and lovely watercolor. A masterful work that will give children of all ages a meander down the dusty road of Appalachia.

The Great Serum Race: Blazing the Iditarod Trail by Debbie S. Miller
In the winter of 1925, a deadly outbreak of diphtheria hit Nome, Alaska. Twenty teams of sled dogs braved the subzero temperatures and blizzard conditions to run more than 600 miles in six days in a desperate relay race that saved lives and gained national attention. Their efforts are commemorated every March by the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and their story is brought to life in this wonderful book.

If You’re Not From The Prairie by David Bouchard
I grew up on the Midwestern prairie of the United States, and when I read this beautifully poetic book it was like going home. I was surprised, therefore, when I discovered that the author and illustrator were Canadian and were depicting the prairie in Canada! It should not have taken me by surprise, though, for the prairie extends over manmade boundaries. Children and adults in both countries will enjoy this lovely portrayal of the heartland.

Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi
Anticipate the yearly return of the swallows to the Mission San Juan Capistrano through the eyes of a small boy, Juan. With encouragement from his friend, the bell ringer at the Mission, Juan plants a small garden in the hope that at least one family of swallows will nest there when they return. A Caldecott Medal winner in 1948 and a charming book.

Download the sample to see all the other wonderful titles we’ve suggested to make your Visits to North America living and memorable.

More CM Motto Rubber Stamps Have Arrived!

Last week we shared with you a beautiful acrylic rubber stamp that features Charlotte Mason’s motto for students: “I am, I can, I ought, I will.” The stamp is manufactured by a homeschool graduate who was educated in a Charlotte Mason style; his interview is included in last week’s post, The Story of a Stamp.

Due to your overwhelming enthusiasm over that stamp, our stock was depleted within days of announcing it! We’re happy to let you know that we now have more CM Motto stamps in stock and stand ready to fulfill your order.

What a great way to inspire your children, delight yourself, or encourage a CM friend!